Rating: 
Summary: Deckled Edges on Purpose!! *Updated*
Review: I just recieved this book and the edge of all the pages is frayed and cut up. It looks like the printer ripped it to shreds along the edges. Has this happened to anyone else?***Update*** I retract my one star rating of this book, as I have gotten word from the FR Line Editor Phil Athans, that the book was made that way on purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting and suspenseful
Review: I may say that I am a fan of the Drow and found this such a good read I read it in about 2 days, and I rarely read books. The fight scenes are rivetting yet they all had the same mechanical and expected outcome nothing was a true surprise. I enjoyed Phaurum and his comrad Tyrd, very well developed characters. I was hoping for more twists and turns in the plot but it was all very satisfying none the less. I cannot wait for the next books in this series! This book is definetly for the Dark-elf fan.
Rating:
Summary: Best... Drow... Book... Ever!
Review: I read 6 of Mr. Salvatore's Drizzt-centric books and I found them all great reads. However I was always dissapointed that he couldn't delve more into the world of the drow. Ever since I played the Dunegons and Dragons "D1-2-3" modules back in the late 70's/early 80's, I've been fascinated with the drow and their society (which was created by Gary Gygax, by the way). Mr. Byers does a GREAT job of making this book not a "good vs. evil" epic, with predicatble outcomes, but rather it's an "evil vs. not-so-evil" story with an unpredictability that mirrors the chaotic nature of the drow themselves. Mr. Byers is also a fencer, and his knowledge of the sport comes across at every turn. I am a fencer myself, and I really appreciated his depth of his martial vocabulary. If you liked Salvatore's Drizzt books, and you found yourself occasionally cheering for the various Underdark denizens within, you will LOVE this book. I wish I could give it 6 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great Writing
Review: I was a little hesitant picking up this book for the first time. Seven authors producing a series can sometimes lead to some questionable results in terms of skill level and story line. However, Mr. Byers writing was a very pleasant surprise. Not only did he provide depth and continuity to Salvatore's work, but his writing style makes an excellent read. I would recommend this book to anyone familiar with Salvatore's work. Some of the subtleties included in the book may be lost for a new reader but shouldn't hold anyone back. The quality of the writing should more than compensate for anyone not familiar with Mr. Byers work.
Rating: 
Summary: All Smoke and Mirrors
Review: I was so disappointed with this book I just trashed it when I finished it. No redeeming qualities - no role models...no light in the darkness. Just one bag of tricks after another, hack and slash. I loved the Dark Elf Trilogy and the Icewind Dale Trilogy - this book was a waste of my time.
Rating:
Summary: PHAURON HAS GOT ME UNDER HIS SPELL
Review: I will admit that I know Mr. Byers personally and don't want to abuse AMAZON's policies in reviewing his book but I don't write reviews of ANYONE's books unless I truly do think they merit my endorsement. I was a speech and English major in college and I had to read way too much boring stuff and now I never waste my time on anything that does not truly grab me. That being said, I really enjoyed DISSOLUTION. What I'd like to stress is that you don't have to be familiar with R.A. Salvatore's world of the Drow elves to know what's going on in this book. It is the introductory book of a six book series and it will leave you wanting to know what happens next when you get to its end but you won't be lost if you never read any of Mr. Salvatore's books. The main character and his swordmaster sidekick are very well defined. Even though nobody in this tale is actually a nice person, you find yourself being on Phauron's side and wanting to see this rogue come out on top, which, at least some of the time, he does. He has a personality that I've been told is uncharacteristic of most Drow in that he has a wit and humor not usually associated with them. That does much to set him apart and to make him an engaging anit-hero. The world is well depicted and you can easily visualize it's dark eeriness from the writing. It's a world that is rife with deception and intrigue. It made me think of some of the Elizabethan age books I've read or of some of the more sinister plots that abound in the history of the Italian Renaissance. It's a fun book and now I am anxious to see what the other authors who are writing books in this series do with Phauron and "friends."
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful begining...
Review: I would like to point out that yes, Quenthel did in fact die previouly. However if you have read the Starlight and Shadows series you know that the Spider Queen has brought her back to life to affirm her wishes that the Baenre stay in power. That said this book was an excellent start to a wonderful series. Granted there are a few small inconsistancies with the world created by the amazingly talented R. A. Salvatore, but one should not let that detract from the novel. The Drow are a culture that you love to read about because it fosters an enviroment excellent for anti-heros. Pharaun may not be your typical anti-hero in that he still shows strong ties too this evil society, but he entertaining nonetheless. I highly recomend this book and all the others.
For those not familier to the drow, you should read Homeland by Salvatore first. It will show you how drow act when things are the status quo in the Underdark.
By the way...to all who complained about the drow "not acting like true drow"...since when did Drizzt act like a true drow. Is he the only one alowed to show qualities of goodness or neutrality? Besides you need to keep in mind things are far from normal in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: If you like the drow, and you like R.A. Salvatore books, get this.
Rating:
Summary: Hated for it to End
Review: Mr. Byers did a great job of creating a group of unique personalities. Considering the fact that all of the main characters were Drow, a people whose culture causes the majority of them to be power hungry back stabbers, this was an impressive feat. I ended the story having strong feelings for the characters. I actually am concerned about what will happen to them in subsequent installments of the series. I sincerely hope that the next five authors do as fine a job of storytelling as Mr. Byers did.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic start to what could be ultimate Drow Epic
Review: Of all the Forgotten Realms-based novel series that have been released, War of the Spider Queen is shaping up to be my favorite. Dissolution, first in a six-part series, introduces the chaotic end of ancient and glorious Menzoberranzan, the city of the Drow. Introduced in Dissolution are the series' quartet of champions; Quenthel Baenre, princess of the city's ruling house & Mistress of Arach-Tinilith. Pharaun Mizzrym, a gleeful mage who thinks dirty, underhanded tricks are the best part of being Drow. Ryld Argith, Master of Melee-Magthere and Pharaun's only true friend. And Faeryl Zauvirr, a Drow princess from the City of Ched Nassad, who has found herself trapped in Menzoberranzan against her will. The story is fast, furious and unpredictable, and it leaves you hanging. But in a good way. You have to give Salvatore and his chosen team of writers props for making such a wickedly evil race so compelling and enjoyable. Even if you're not a fan of Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragon, pick this book up anyway. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
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